Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Port Arthur, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
296.4 mi
477 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Port Arthur, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dallas to Port Arthur is 296.4 miles and takes about 5h 43m via US Highway 69 South, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region into another part of the Great Plains. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should be manageable for a single day. You’ll spend most of your time on well-traveled roads, making it a practical choice for a quick trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
148.2 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C F Hawn Freeway | 68.7 mi | 1h 14m |
| US Highway 69 South | 63.3 mi | 1h 11m |
| East Denman Avenue | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| US 69 | 25.4 mi | 27m |
| US Highway 175 East | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 69 North | 16.2 mi | 18m |
| Rusk Street | 15.1 mi | 19m |
| US Highway 175 | 13.3 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
C F Hawn Freeway
— 68.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Port Arthur, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Lamar Street
2
Turn right onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
McKinney Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 75 North
4
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
C F Hawn Freeway
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
US Highway 175 West
9
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Corsicana Street
10
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 175 East
11
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Pine Street
12
Continue on US 175
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 175
13
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Frankston Highway
14
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Alexander Boulevard
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jackson Street
16
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 North
17
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dickinson Drive
18
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 South
19
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Marcus Street
20
Continue on US 69
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 69 South
21
Continue on US 69
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Rusk Street
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
23
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
24
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
25
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Kurth Drive
26
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Timberland Drive
27
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chestnut Street
28
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
39 mi
·
43 min
·
East Denman Avenue
29
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wheeler Avenue
30
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 69 North
31
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Magnolia Street
32
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US Highway 69 South
33
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
35
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287
16 mi
·
17 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Exit 849
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie
37
Merge onto TX 73
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
TX 73
38
Turn slight right onto H O Mills Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
H O Mills Boulevard
39
Turn left onto Spur 215
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Savannah Avenue
40
Turn right onto 17th Street
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
17th Street
41
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
162 ft
·
4 sec
·
Augusta Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 43 minute drive time, leaving Dallas in the morning will allow you to reach Port Arthur with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $45; it's wise to top off before leaving Dallas or at a major town along US Highway 69 South. Since the route is under 6 hours, no overnight stay is necessary, but planning your departure time can help you avoid the heaviest traffic leaving the Dallas area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 148.2 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 65 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.2 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Arthur, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dallas, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dallas, TX
This is one driving day of about 296.4 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Dallas, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on C F Hawn Freeway for about 68.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.2 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before C F Hawn Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 277 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
4.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
6
273.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway toward Houston, Port Arthur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
6
277 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 849
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South:...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.60 one way
$81.19 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $45.35 | $90.69 |
| premium | $4.23 | $49.30 | $98.61 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $55.97 | $111.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.12 | $14.23 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.94 | $11.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.6 | 1 | $41.50 | $18.97 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Dallas, TX
Morning in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Port Arthur, TX
Morning in Port Arthur on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 73% of the 296.4 miles on main roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 68.7 miles on C F Hawn Freeway before transitioning to US Highway 69 South. Expect to encounter more frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas, especially in the initial and final stages of your trip.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.7 mi on C F Hawn Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on C F Hawn Freeway and US Highway 69 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 296.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
520 ft
1 ft
Total Climb
177 ft
Total Descent
604 ft
Highest Point
520 ft
~127 mi in
Elevation Range
519 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dallas, TX to Port Arthur, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Houston
273.9 mi in
|
~5h 15m
|
via US 69; US 96; US 287
About the Cities
Starting in Dallas, TX
Full guide →“Big D” · Founded 1841
Dallas, with a population of more than 1.3 million residents, is the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in the state of Texas. It is an impressive melting pot of culture and character. Boasting high-end luxury hotels, innumerable fine dining spots, and one of the busiest airports in the world, Dallas maintains an upscale ethos reflected by an affluent population, world-class museums, and a shimmering modern skyline. Its history was marred by the infamous assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but there is more historic and contemporary heritage to be discovered in the city. As a center of the oil and cotton industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Dallas was a classic American boom town and remains one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.
Top landmarks
- • Dallas Museum of Art — art museum in Dallas, Texas
- • Texas School Book Depository — building in Dallas, Texas, United States
- • George W. Bush Presidential Center — Presidential library and museum for U.S. President George W. Bush, located in Da...
Arriving in Port Arthur, TX
Full guide →Port Arthur is in the Gulf Coast region of Texas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 296.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.7 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Port Arthur, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Arthur, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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